Snowplow attachment system and method

ABSTRACT

A snowplow attachment system for attaching a snowplow to a vehicle includes a laser device. A power source is coupled to the laser device for energizing the laser device to generate a laser beam. A first attachment is adapted to adjustably mount the laser device on the vehicle and to adjustably orient the laser device to project the laser beam in a selected direction. The snowplow attachment system further includes a target. The snowplow attachment system further includes a second attachment adapted to mount the target to the snowplow. The target is installed in the snowplow approximately in line with the laser beam. The laser beam projects a dot when incident on the target.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to systems and methods for attaching equipmentsto a vehicle and, more particularly, to a system and method forattaching a snowplow to a vehicle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Snow often creates hazardous conditions for motorists on roadways andbridges. Moderate to heavy snowfall often makes roadways and bridgesimpassable for motorists. Thus, it is necessary to remove snow from theground for the safety of the motorists. Snow often causes driveways inresidences and businesses to become unusable, requiring residents andbusiness owners to remove snow from their driveways.

Snowplows are generally used for snow removal. Various types ofsnowplows are available. One popular snowplow, which includes a largeblade, is designed to be attached to the front of a vehicle such as atruck. The blade is configured to scrape the snow from the road, bridgeor driveway and to deposit the snow to the side, thus allowing themotorists to safely drive. As the vehicle is driven by an operator in agenerally forward direction, the blade removes the snow and deposits itto the side. Thus, the operator of the vehicle can steer the vehiclealong a desired course to remove the snow from the ground.

Snowplows are generally built from metal, composite or other hardmaterial suitable for removal of snow from the ground. They aretypically heavy and often can weigh 600 to 1000 pounds.

A snowplow is generally installed on a vehicle prior to its use. Afterthe snowplow is used, it is generally removed or dismounted from thevehicle and stored in a garage or other parking space. The snowplow andthe vehicle both include attachment mechanisms or means (referred tohereinafter as attachment points). The snowplow's attachment points aredesigned to connect to the vehicle's attachment points so that thesnowplow can be installed on the vehicle. Some snowplows are designed sothat the operator can move the blade side to side when the snowplows areinstalled in on the vehicle.

When a snowplow is required to be installed on a vehicle, it isdifficult to correctly align the attachment points of the snowplow tothe attachment points of the vehicle to facilitate the connection. Sincea snowplow is heavy equipment, it is difficult for a person to liftand/or push the snowplow into place so that the attachment points arecorrectly aligned. Also, the attachment points are not visible to thevehicle operator. Thus, the vehicle operator cannot line up theattachment points by sight while steering the vehicle toward the parkedsnowplow for hook up. If the vehicle operator drives the vehicle towardsthe parked snowplow but does not steer the vehicle to proper alignmentfor attachment, the operator must back-up the vehicle and retry oftenseveral times, thereby wasting time. Also, the vehicle operator maydamage the vehicle or the snowplow if the vehicle is accidentally driveninto the snowplow.

Accordingly, there exist a need for a solution to the foregoingproblems. There exists a need for a snowplow attachment system and amethod for efficiently installing a snowplow to a vehicle. There existsa need for a snowplow attachment system and a method that allow asnowplow to be installed on a vehicle in a relatively short time. Thereexists a need for a snowplow attachment system and a method that allow asnowplow to be installed on a vehicle without damaging the snowplow orthe vehicle. There exists a need for a snowplow attachment system and amethod that allow a snowplow to be installed on a vehicle without beingdifficult to lift and/or push into place.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A snowplow attachment system for attaching a snowplow to a vehicleincludes a laser device. A power source is coupled to the laser devicefor energizing the laser device to generate a laser beam. A firstattachment is adapted to adjustably mount the laser device on thevehicle. The first attachment is adapted to adjustably orient the laserdevice to project the laser beam in a selected direction.

The snowplow attachment system further includes a target. The snowplowattachment system further includes a second attachment adapted to mountthe target to the snowplow. The target is installed in the snowplowapproximately in line with the laser beam. The laser beam is projectedin a substantially forward direction relative to the vehicle. The laserbeam projects a dot when incident on the target.

The target includes a panel attached to post. A receiver is adapted tobe mounted on the snowplow. The receiver is adapted to receive the postwhen the target is mounted on the snowplow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description ofthe invention, will be better understood when read in conjunction withthe appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention,there are shown in the drawings embodiments which are presentlypreferred. It should be understood, however, that the invention is notlimited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 illustrates a laser projector device in accordance with oneembodiment of the snowplow attachment system;

FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate a target and a receiver in accordance withone embodiment of the snowplow attachment system; and

FIGS. 3A and 3B both show a snowplow being installed in a vehicle usingthe snowplow attachment system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The various features and methods of the invention will now be describedin the context of attaching a snowplow to a vehicle. Those skilled inthe art will recognize that the invention can be used to attach otherequipment to a vehicle as well.

Throughout the description of the embodiments, implementation-specificdetails will be given on how the invention is used to efficiently attacha snowplow to a vehicle. These details are provided to illustrate thepreferred embodiments of the invention and not to limit the scope of theinvention. The scope of the invention is set in the claims section.

In one embodiment of the invention, a snowplow attachment systemincludes a laser projector device and a target. FIG. 1 illustrates alaser projector device 104 attached to a vehicle windshield 108 by anattachment mechanism 112. The laser projector device 104 can be anysmall laser projector such as a pocketsize laser pointer, which canproject a dot, a line or a pattern.

In one embodiment, the attachment mechanism 112 includes a vehiclebracket 116, a ball and socket joint 120, a locking screw 124, and alaser holder bracket 128. The bracket 128 is configured to receive andsecurely retain the laser projector device 104. In one embodiment, theball and socket joint 120 can be locked and unlocked by the lockingscrew 124 which when tightened can jam the ball tightly in the socket.By unlocking the joint 120, the angular orientation of the laserprojector device 104 can be changed with respect to the horizon andside-to-side with respect to a vertical axis. Thus, the laser projectordevice 104 can be oriented at a desired angle. By changing the verticaland horizontal angular orientation, the laser projector device 104 canbe aimed or pointed at a particular target. As will be understood bythose skilled in the art, other types of attachment mechanism can alsobe used to attach the laser projector device to the vehicle.

The laser projector device 104 can be powered by a battery or powered bythe vehicle's electrical system. A battery can be loaded into the laserprojection device 104 by removing the removable battery cap 132. AnON/OFF switch 136 allows the laser projector device 104 to be switchedON or OFF.

The attachment mechanism 112 includes a base 140 that is attached to thewindshield 108 of the vehicle. The base 140 can be attached to thewindshield 108 using adhesive, suction cups or other means. While FIG. 1shows the laser projector device 104 being attached to the vehicle'swindshield, it will be appreciated that the laser projector device 104can be mounted on any suitable surface area of the vehicle, such as thevehicle's dashboard, on the hood, behind the grill, or on a suitablelocation on the exterior of the vehicle.

FIG. 2A illustrates a target 200 in accordance with one embodiment ofthe snowplow attachment system. The target 200 includes a panel 204attached to a post 208. The panel 204 may include centerlines or otherpatterns found in a typical target to indicate its center. Other typesof targets can also be used. In one embodiment, centerlines or otherpatterns are incorporated on the snowplow to be used as a target.

A receiver (or a bracket) 212 is adapted to receive the post 208. Thereceiver 212 is typically attached to the blade of a snowplow (not shownin FIGS. 2A and 2B). The receiver 212 can also be attached to anotherpart of the snowplow. In one embodiment, the receiver 212 can beremovably attached to the snowplow, allowing the receiver 212 to bemoved on the snowplow in order to adjust the position of the target 200.The receiver may be integrally built into the snowplow or attached tothe snowplow by welding on, bolting on, clamping on, or other means.

In one embodiment, the target 200 is permanently attached to thesnowplow, but can fold down or collapse out of the way when not in use.

As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the receiver 212 includes a slot 220adapted to receive a pin 216 in the post 208. As the post 208 isinserted into the receiver 212, the pin 216 mates with the slot 220.When the pin 216 is mated to the slot 220, the target 200 is securelymounted on the snowplow.

In one embodiment, the post and receiver cross-sections are not round sothat when they mate correct target orientation is facilitated withoutthe use of a pin and slot.

FIG. 3A shows a snowplow being installed on a vehicle using the snowplowattachment system. FIG. 3B is a plan view of the illustration of FIG.3A. Initially, a snowplow 312 is attached to the vehicle 308 byconventional means such as by manually moving the snowplow 312 andaligning the attachment points of the snowplow 312 to the attachmentpoints of the vehicle 308 and then connecting the snowplow 312 to thevehicle 308.

Next, laser projector device 304 is attached inside a vehicle 308 nearthe windshield at the driver's corner or other appropriate location. Thelaser projector device 304 is switched on. A receiver (shown in FIGS. 2Aand 2B) is then attached to the blade or other suitable part of thesnowplow and the target is attached to the receiver. The target isinstalled on the snowplow 312 approximately in line with a laser beam328 so that the laser beam 328 hits the target 316.

In one embodiment, the receiver can be movably installed on the snowplow312 so that the target 316 can be moved side to side.

Next, the laser projector device 304 is calibrated by loosening lockingscrew 124 (shown in FIG. 1) and moving laser projector device 104 (shownin FIG. 1) so that the laser beam 328 hits the predetermined point onthe target 316. The laser projector device 304 is then locked to retainits orientation by tightening locking screw 124. With the laserprojector device locked and the receiver permanently attached to thesnowplow, the entire system remains calibrated for future use. Thetarget 316 is removed from the receiver and the snowplow is thendismounted from the vehicle and remains ready for future installation.

When the snowplow is ready for installation, the target 316 is attachedto the receiver 212 (shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B). The laser projectordevice 304 is switched on and the vehicle 308 is slowly driven towardthe target 316. As the vehicle 308 is slowly driven toward the target316, the driver of the vehicle 308 steers side-to-side until the laserbeam 328 is projected on the predetermined point on the target 316. Whenthe vehicle 308 contacts the snowplow with the laser beam 328 projectedon the predetermined point, the attachment points of the vehicle and thesnowplow will be aligned. At that time, the attachment points can beconnected to install the snowplow on the vehicle. Next, the laserprojector device 304 is turned off and the target 316 is removed fromthe receiver 212.

When detaching the snowplow 312 from the vehicle 308, if the snowplow isof the type such that its blade can be moved side to side after beingmounted on the vehicle, the target 316 is installed in the receiver 212,the laser projector device 304 is switched on and the driver of thevehicle 308 can use the snowplow controls to turn the snowplow 312 untilthe laser beam 328 is projected on the predetermined point on the target316 thereby making the snowplow ready for the next installation. Next,the laser projector device 304 is turned off and the snowplow attachmentpoints can be disconnected. The target 316 may be left attached for thenext installation.

In one embodiment, the snowplow attachment system includes means toprovide an audible signal (e.g., beeping sound) when the laser beam hitsthe predetermined point on the target such as the centerline. As thebeam gets closer to the centerline, the beeping sound can become faster.In one embodiment, a proximity detector can be added to the system todetect the distance between the vehicle and the snowplow. It will beunderstood by those skilled in the art how to implement the means toprovide the audible sound.

In one embodiment, an optical source or a light emitting device otherthan a laser projector device can be used. The optical source or thelight emitting device is capable of generating a beam that can beprojected on the target.

In one embodiment, the laser projector device is mounted on the hood,behind the grill, or on a suitable location on the exterior of thevehicle.

The invention can be used to attach other equipment such as, forexample, earthmoving equipment, farm machinery, aircraft towingequipment, trailers and grounds maintenance equipment to a vehicle.

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that, although specificembodiments of the invention have been described herein for purposes ofillustration, various modifications may be made without deviating fromthe spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is notlimited except as by the appended claims.

1. A snowplow attachment system for attaching a snowplow to a vehicle,comprising: a laser device; a power source coupled to the laser devicefor energizing the laser device to generate a laser beam; a firstattachment adapted to adjustably mount the laser device on the vehicleand adapted to orient the laser device to project the laser beam in aselected direction; a target; a second attachment adapted to mount thetarget on the snowplow; wherein the laser beam projects a laser dot whenincident on the target.
 2. The snowplow attachment system of claim 1,wherein the laser beam is projected in a substantially forward directionrelative to the vehicle.
 3. The snowplow attachment system of claim 1,wherein the first attachment includes a ball and socket joint assemblyconfigured to adjust the orientation of the laser device.
 4. Thesnowplow attachment system of claim 1 wherein the second attachment isadapted to releasably mount the target on the snowplow.
 5. The snowplowattachment system of claim 1, wherein the target is a panel orientedsubstantially perpendicular to the laser beam.
 6. The snowplowattachment system of claim 1, wherein the target includes a panelattached to a post.
 7. The snowplow attachment system of claim 6,further comprising a receiver slot adapted to be mounted on thesnowplow, the receiver slot being adapted to receive the post when thetarget is mounted on the snowplow.
 8. The snowplow attachment system ofclaim 7, wherein the post includes a pin adapted to mate with a slot onthe receiver.
 9. The snowplow attachment system of claim 1, wherein thetarget is oriented substantially perpendicular to the laser beam. 10.The snowplow attachment system of claim 1, wherein the power source is abattery.
 11. The snowplow attachment system of claim 1, wherein thepower source is the vehicle's electrical power system.
 12. The snowplowattachment system of claim 1, wherein the target is configured to befoldably mounted on the snowplow, and wherein the target is folded whenthe target is not in use.
 13. The snowplow attachment system of claim 1,wherein the target is substantially flat.
 14. The snowplow attachmentsystem of claim 1, wherein the target includes one or more lines orpatterns to indicate a center.
 15. A snowplow attachment system forattaching a snowplow to a vehicle, comprising: a light source configuredto generate a narrow beam; a power source coupled to the light sourcefor energizing the light source; a first attachment adapted toadjustably mount the light source on the vehicle and adapted to orientthe light source to project the beam in a selected direction; a target;a second attachment adapted to mount the target on the snowplow, whereinthe beam projects a dot when incident on the target.
 16. The snowplowattachment system of claim 15, wherein the light source is a lightemitting device configured to generate a beam.
 17. The snowplowattachment system of claim 15, wherein the light source is an electriclight bulb configured to generate a beam.
 18. The snowplow attachmentsystem of claim 15, wherein the first attachment includes a ball andsocket joint assembly configured to adjust the orientation of the lightsource.
 19. The snowplow attachment system of claim 15, wherein thesecond attachment is adapted to releasably and movably mount the targeton the snowplow.
 20. The snowplow attachment system of claim 15, whereinthe target is oriented substantially perpendicular to the beam.
 21. Amethod of mounting a snowplow to a vehicle, comprising the steps of:calibrating a laser beam projected from the vehicle with respect to atarget being mounted on the snowplow, wherein calibrating the targetcomprises: mounting the snowplow on the vehicle; projecting the laserbeam in a forward direction with respect to the vehicle; attaching thetarget to the snowplow approximately in line with the laser beam;adjusting the laser beam so that the laser beam is projected on apredetermined point on the target; and removing the snowplow from thevehicle after the calibration; projecting the laser beam from a distancefrom the target; driving the vehicle toward the snowplow; steering thevehicle side-to-side so that the laser beam is projected on apredetermined point on the target; driving the vehicle closer to thesnowplow so that the attachment points on the vehicle are aligned to theattachment points on the snow plow; mounting the snow plow on thevehicle when the attachment points of the vehicle and the snowplow makecontact.
 22. The method of claim 21, wherein the predetermined point isthe center of the target.
 23. The method of claim 21, wherein the targetis oriented substantially perpendicular to the laser beam.